Nineteen-year-old South African Semenya, who won gold in the 800m at the World Championships in Berlin last summer, is now eligible again to run against other female athletes. ‘I am thrilled to enter the global athletics arena once again, and look forward to competing with all the disputes behind me,’ she said. However, there has been speculation that instead of waiting for the results of a gender verification test, she has been involved in a hormone-based treatment for an intersex condition.

‘The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya has now been completed,’ the IAAF said. ‘The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect. Please note that the medical details of the case remain confidential and the IAAF will make no further comment on the matter.’